One way engaging clutch



F. MEYER ONE WAY ENGAGING CLUTCH Feb. 24, 1959 Filed June so, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVe'IYnR: FRIEDRICH V727 3Y Wax/ l Feb. 24, 1959 F. MEYER ONE WAY ENGAGING CLUTCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 3c. 1953 nyvmTbR: Fmaomcw MEYER Feb. 24, 1959 Filed June 30. 1953 F. MEYER v ONE WAY ENGAGING CLUTCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEHTDR: DRICH ME ER Filed June 30. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 .7 KNEE? R. m m 3 W M 1% m J M 1, w, w m E MW/ 2 \fi v 3 5 I l 0 6 E x/ W a M y W Q f 0 j w. 9 4 m Q W M (5 5 m Q a w 1: l Q. h w

5 N 4 w 7 I7 I m 9 m 1959 F. MEYER 2,874,580

ONE WAY ENGAGING CLUTCH Filed June so. 1955 5 Sheets-$het 5 INVEIYTDR:

FRIePRIcH [VP/em United States Patent ONE WAY ENGAGING CLUTCH Friedrich Meyer, Grenchen, Switzerland, assignor to Felsa S. A., Grenchen, Switzerland, a joint-stock company Application June 30, 1953, Serial No. 365,003

Claims priority, application Switzerland November 10, 1952 8 Claims. ('Cl. 74-126) This invention relates to one way engaging clutches, particularly to a clutch of so small a size that it may be used even in the smallest ladies watches.

There are especially the watches with self-winding mechanism that comprise clutches, as it is well known in the art; but it has not been possible as yet to manufacture ladies watches of very small size with a selfwinding mechanism.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a one way engaging clutch small, stable and reliable enough in order to manufacture a very small watch with a self-winding mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the lost motion of the clutch to a minimum, said clutch thus immediately responding to a drive in the engaging direction.

Still further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which many details of the watch have been disclosed although they have no significance for this invention. These details are, however, also described and claimed in three copending applications.

Two embodiments of the invention are shown diagrammatically by way of example in the drawings affixed to this specification and forming part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the selfawinding mechanism with the upper bridge taken away;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame of the self-winding mechanism set in place on the watch movement;

Fig. 3 is substantially a longitudinal sectional view of the watch along line IIIlII of Fig. 1, whereby one section has been turned into the. plane of the longitudinal axis of the watch movement, as shown by an arc of circle;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the self-winding mechanism along line IVIV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a part-sectional view of the frame of the watch along line V-V of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 6 is a plan view to an enlarged scale or": one of the free-wheel mechanisms which ensure winding. by motions in both directions of the rockable weights;

Fig. 7 isa view similar to that of Fig. 4 but to an enlarged scale;

Figfi 7a shows a detail of Fig. 7 to even a larger scale, and

. Fig. 8 shows a variant of the free-wheel mechanism represented in Fig. 6.

The self-winding watch represented in the drawings has particularly been designed as a ladys watch of very small size, the width of the movement being about 0.4 inch.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the frame of the watch movement consists of a substantially rectangular baseplate 1, a bridge 2 and a balance cock 3. The barrel 4 and the train (inclusive escape wheel), the second wheel 5 of which is shown only, are pivoted in base-plate 1 and bridge 2. The relative positions of base-plate 1 and 2,874,580 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 "ice bridge 2 are securedby steady pins (not shown) and both parts are fixed together by three screws 6. The lever (not shown) is as usually pivoted in base-plate 1 and a bar (not shown), and the balance (not shown) is pivoted in base-plate 1 and cock 3 also secured to the base-plate by means of steady pins (not shown) and a screw 7. The upper surfaces of cock 3 and bridge 2 are substantially on the same level, as Fig. 5 shows it particularly well. A recess 8, concentric to the balance axis, is provided in the upper surface of the cock to locate the regulating device (not shown). Bridge 2 is also recessed at 9 concentrically to the barrel axis in order to locate partially a double-ratchet 10, the significance of which is disclosed hereinafter. This doubleratchet is secured to barrel arbor 11, angularly by means of a square 12 formed on arbor 11, and axially by means of a screw 13. Double-ratchet 10 comprises a first ratchet 14 entirely located within recess 9 of bridge 2. An annular rim 15 is provided integral with ratchet 14 on its upper face, and a second ratchet 16, of a diameter larger than that of the first ratchet, is set around rim 15'. Both ratchets are definitely fixed together in any manner well known in the art.

It appears from the previous description, that ratchet 16 is the only part of the watch movement, which protrudes from the upper surfaces of bridge 2 and cock 3.

The minute hand 17 and the hour hand 18 are as usually fixed on cannon pinion 19 and hour wheel 20, respectively. Both pinion 19 and wheel 20 are as usually set onto the second wheel axle 21 projecting from the lower surface of base-plate 1, onto which the dial (not shown) is fixed in a manner well known in the art.

Still referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a second frame for the self-winding mechanism is fixed onto both bridge 2 and cock 3 of the watch movement frame. Said second frame consists of a substantially rectangular base-plate 22 and a bridge 23 shown by dot-dash lines in Fig.2. Base-plate 22 has the same width as the watch movement frame but it is longer than the latter. This second plate is fixed onto the watch movement frame by means described hereinafter, so that two substantially equal portions of said second plate project on each side beyond the extremities of the watch movement. These two portions are located within appropriate lodgings provided in the band of the watch case not shown.

Two deep cylindrical recesses 24, 25 of substantially the same diameter are provided in base-plate 22. The axes of said recesses lie in the plane defined by the major axis of symmetry of base-plate 22. They are symmetrically arranged on each side of the center of said baseplate. Recess 25 comprises two undercut portions 26 (clearly shown in Fig. 5), which define two overhanging portions 27 of base-plate 22. Two shallow part-cylindrical recesses 28, 29 are further provided in base-plate Z2, concentrically to its center (see also Fig. 4). In boring recess 29 two part-circular ribs 30 of rectangular cross-section (Figs. 2, 4 and 7) are provided at the bottom of said recess. A passage 31 of the same depth as recesses 24 and 25 sets said recesses into communication with one another.

The exact position of base-plate 22 relative to the watch movement frame is secured in a manner described hereinafter by a cylindrical steady pin 32 seating in a bore (not designated) of base-plate 22 and fitting a hole 33 provided in a lug 34 of bridge 2. Plate 22 is further secured onto the watch movement frame by means of three screws 35, 36 and 37 with conical heads. Screws 35 and 36 are similarly located within very shallow semicircular recesses 38 provided at the bottom of recess 24 (see also Fig. 4), recesses 38 having noparticular signification relative to the invention. Screws 35 and 36 are both set into countersunk holes of base-plate 22 and screwed into tapped bores of bridge 2 as shown in Fig. 4. The conical head of screw 37 'also fits an analogous countersunk hole of base-plate 22 and this screw is screwed into a tapped bore of cock 3 as shown in Fig. 5. When base-plate 22 is set in place, its lower surface contacts the upper surfaces of bridge '2 and'cock 3 almost over their entire extent with exception of the recessed portions 8 and 9 only. A circular indentation 39 for locating ratchet 16 is provided in the lower surface of base-plate 22.

A steady pin 40 is set into an adequate hole of the unrecessed portion at the left of base-plate 22 in Fig. 2,

and two further similar steady pins 41 are set in adequate holes of overhanging portions 27, as shown in particular in Fig. 5. Three tapped bores 42 are provided each in the vicinity of one of said steady pins and 41. These three pins protrude from the upper surface of baseplate 22, each' to the same extent which almost corresponds to the thickness of bridge 23. The latter is laterally positioned, with respect to base-plate 22, by said pins 40 and 41 fitting adequate holes provided in bridge 23. Bridge 23 is axially fixed to said base-plate by means of three screws 43 screwed into holes 42 as shown in Fig. 3.

Two semi-circular notches 44 and an aperture 45 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) are provided in bridge 23 above screws 35, 36, 37 for allowing a screw-driver to release said screws in order to remove at once the entire frame of the selfwinding mechanism from the watch movement, without having first to take bridge 23 away from base-plate 22.

Referring now mostly to Figs. 1 and 3, the self-winding mechanism comprises two similar rockable weights 46 and 47 pivoted in base-plate 22 and bridge 23, concentrically to recesses 24 and 25. In view of the small size of the watch, weights 46 and 47 are substantially semicircular disks of an overall thickness somewhat smaller than the depth of recesses 24 and 25. The axles on which said weights are pivotally mounted in the frame of the selfwinding mechanism have each been firstly lathe-turned with two portions 48 and 49 (Fig. 3) of different diameters. Teeth have then been milled at the same depth in both portions 48 and 49, so that there remains a core 50 extending through both portions 48 and 49 of each of said axles. Portions 48-48 thus become pinions and weights 46, 47 are pressed with force on portions 49-49 the shallow teeth of which firmly grip said weights for preventing any angular displacement of these weights relative to their axles. Pierced jewels 51 have been set into suitable holes, provided in base-plate 22 and bridge 23 as well, in order to pivot the axles of weights 46 and 47 as free of resistance as possible.

Two wheels 52 and 53 pivot freely about a shaft or axle 54 pivoted itself in the center of the self-winding mechanism frame. The upper wheel 52 meshes with both pinions 48-48 and the lower wheel 53, the diameter of which is somewhat smaller than that of wheel 52, is driven by a pinion 55 meshing with the pinion 48 that is coaxial to weight 46. Pinion 55 freely rotates around a fixed sleeve 56 set in a suitable bore provided in bridge 23, said pinion being axially held in place on this sleeve by screw 57.

The weights 46, 47 are both set in place in the same angular position shown in Fig. 1, so that the momenta of gravity of the weights about their axis of rotation are each in the same direction and add themselves to drive wheel 52.

It is therefore a consequence of the function of said clutch mechanisms that'axle-54 is always driven in the direction of arrow x, wherever may be the displacements of weights 46 and 47.

Axle 54, in turn, carries a pinion 58 meshing with ratchet 16. Pinion 58 is located within a circular hole 59 provided in the lower surface of base-plate 22, said hole-being in communication with indentation 39.

Experience has taught that there is a satisfactory ratio between the displacements of the winding weight (of any type) and those of the barrel arbor, if the latter accomplishes one revolution while the weight travels to times round its axis. The ratio 150-160 to 1, between the weights and the barrel arbor, is ensured in the construction described as shown by the following numbers of teeth: pinions 48, ten; wheel 52, one hundred and ten; wheel 53, one hundred and three; pinion 58, seven; ratchet 16, one hundred and two. When motion of the weights is transmitted to ratchet 16 by the wheel 52, the said ratio is given by 1OX7 l and when said motion is transmitted by wheel 53 the ratio is:

Fig. 6 illustrates in detail the function of one of said similar clutch mechanisms. A semicircular notch 66 is provided in stabilizing plate 62 and wedging member 64 is formed with a part-cylindrical hub 67 of a shape corresponding to that of notch 66 in order to pivotally arrange said member on said plate. Member 64 is also provided with a tail portion 68.

The external portion 69 of the contour of member 64, adjacent the wall of indentation 60, is an arc of circle of the same radius as indentation 60. The center of this are lies a small distance apart from the center of wheel 52, on the side thereof, almost diametrically opposite to the side member 64 is located on so that member 64 may pivot within notch 66 from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 into the position shown in dot-dash lines.

Portion 69 of member 64 extends to both sides of radius 107 of wheel 52 through the pivoting axis of member 64. However, on front 70 of member 64, portion 69 is shorter than along tail 68.

The angle defined by radius 107 and radius 71 of wheel 52 through front edge 72 of member 64, depends on the materials of both wheel 52 and member 64. In order to drive axle 54 by wheel 52, when the latter rotates in the direction of arrow x, edge 72 of member 54 must engage the wall of indentation 60 in such a point that sliding of wheel 52 relative to member 64 is excluded. This obviously only occurs if reaction 73 of wheel 52 on member 64 (defined by edge 72 and the pivoting axis of member 64), lies within the cone of friction 74 in the point of contact between member 64 and the wall of indentation 60.

The condition of the cone of friction above-mentioned implies that the angle between directions 71 and 73 does not exceed a predetermined value. In other words, edge 72 should not be too far away from radius 107.

On the other hand, edge 72 should not be too near to said radius 107 (i. e. the angle between directions 71 and 107 should not be too small), since the material of member 64 would get compressed or that of wheel 52 stretched, causing edge 72 of member 64 to jump across the radial line 107 of wheel 52, said member swinging thereby counterclockwise with Wheel 52, without clutching wheel 52 and axle 54 together.

Experience has shown that the usual materials may satisfy both conditions mentioned before.

If wheel 52 rotates in the direction of arrow y, wedging member 64 rocks clockwise from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 into the position indicated in dot-dash lines, because of the friction between member 64 and the bottom of indentation 60. In the latter position, tail portion 68 contacts the wall of indentation 60 in a point 75 near its extremity.

This point 75 lies so far away from radius 107, that reaction 76 of wheel 52 on said member lies outside the cone of friction 77 in point 75. Thus, there is sliding between wheel 52 and member 64, said wheel rotating freely with respect to and around axle 54.

If wheel 52 is driven again in the direction of arrow at, after having rotated in that of arrow y, wedging member 64 rocks back into the position represented in full lines in Fig. 6, because of the friction between said member and the bottom of indentation 60. Said rocking of wedging member 64 may actually be qualified as lost motion of the clutch mechanism, since wheel 52 must rotate through a certain angle in the direction of arrow x without driving axle 54, until said wedging member comes into clamping position between wheel 52 and axle 54.

Said lost motion may be reduced by providing the ex ternal portion 69 of wedging member 64 in such a manner that point 75 of portion 69 lies as close as possible to the wall of indentation 60, when member 64 is in clamping position.

In order to reduce said lost motion even more, member 64 is preferably provided with a nose 78 and stabilizing plate 62 is formed with an eccentric portion 79 (Fig. 1) in which the end of a spring 80 is fixed, the other end of spring 80 bearing against said nose in such a direction, that edge 72 of member 64 is always kept in contact with the wall of indentation 60. In this case, clamping of wedging member 64 almost occurs at the moment at which wheel 52 starts rotating in direction of arrow x.

Collapsing in an upward direction, perpendicular to wheel 52, of wedging member 64 and stabilizing plate 62, when said member is in clamping position, is prevented by bevelling both wall 81 of indentation 60 internally, and the upper edge 82 of the outer portion 69 of member 64 in a corresponding manner, as clearly shown in Fig. 7a. These bevelled portions also secure member 64 within indentation 60, when said member has once been set in place.

As previously mentioned, wheel 53 is also provided with a clutch mechanism consisting of a stabilizing plate 63, a wedging member 65 and a spring 83, which are altogether located within a circular indentation 61 of said wheel. Elements 63, 65 and 83 are shaped like the corresponding elements of wheel 52 shown in Fig. 6. The operation of this second clutch mechanism is the same as that of the first.

Fig. 8 shows a variant of these clutch mechanisms. Stabilizing plate 62 with an eccentric portion 79 is replaced by a circular plate 84 also provided with a semicircular notch 66 at its periphery. Wedging member 64 is replaced by a wedging member 85 comprising a belly portion 86, an external edge 87, a part-cylindrical hub portion 88 and a nose 89. Belly portion 86 ensures suflicient friction between member 85 and the bottom of indentation 60 of wheel 52, in order to carry member 85 along with wheel 52, from its clamped position into unclamped position and vice 'vcrsa. Member 85 is in clamped position when wheel 52 rotates in the direction of arrow x, thereby edge 87 bearing against wall 81 of indentation 60 as represented in Fig. 8. Edge 87 is like positioned as edge 72 of member 64 with respect to the axis of the wheel and the pivoting axis of hub 88 of member 85 within notch 66. The operation of member 85 is also like that of member 64, since nose 89 or the former has the same function as tail portion 68 of the latter. Nose 89 extends, indeed, towards the circular edge of stabilizing plate 84 and it reaches almost this edge when member 85 is clamped between wheel 52 and plate 84. When wheel 52 rotates in the direction of arrow y, member 85 pivots clockwise with its hub 88 within notch 66 until nose 89 contacts plate 84.

The lost motion of the clutch mechanism represented in Fig. 8 is so much smaller as nose 89 is nearer to plate 84, member being in clamping position. In this variant of the clutch mechanism the lost motion could also almost be reduced to zero by providing a spring like that of the first embodiment.

It will be understood that the two wheels 52 and 53 may be provided each with the same clutch mechanism.

When any of the wedging members described before is in clamping position, wheels 52 and/or 53, on the one hand, and stabilizing plates 62 and/or 63, on the other hand, exert a shearing action on the axle on which said wheels pivot and said plates are fixed, respectively.

In order that this axle may hold out said shearing action without any risk of breakage, its diameter must have a sufficient size in the portion on which said plates are fixed and said wheels pivot.

Since pinion 58 (made best integral with axle 54), is provided on abracket portion of axle 54 (i. e. on a portion outwards both upper and lower bearings of axle 54), said axle cannot be formed integral with a portion of sufficient diameter for pivoting wheels 52, 53 and fixing plates 62, 63, because such an axle could not be set in place.

Therefore, axle 54 is machined with a lower small portion in which the teeth of pinion 58 are milled (Fig. 7), a tronconical center portion 90, an upper cylindrical portion 91 and a pivot 92 at its top extremity.

The cone of center portion 90, having a very small apex angle, is open downwards and its diameter adjacent pinion 58 is smaller than that of said pinion, whereas its diameter adjacent said portion 91 is larger than that of said cylindrical portion.

The teeth of pinion 58 are milled throughout the tronconical portion (Fig. 7) at a depth which is substantially flush with portion 91.

The structure description of axle 54 allows a collar 93 to be easily passed over portion 91 and pressed along portion 90 until it abuts against pinion 58 as shown in the drawing. The shallow teeth milled in portion 90 firmly grip collar 93 and prevent any angular displacement thereof respective to axle 54.

Collar 93, which has a diameter larger than that of the circle defined by the tops of the teeth of pinion 58, acts as lower pivot of axle 54 and is accordingly supported in bearing engagement within a jewel 94 set in opening 59 of frame 22. V

A hub member 95 is then pressed onto portion 91 of axle 54 until it abuts against the upper flange of the teeth milled throughout portion 90. Said member 95, shown in detail in Fig. 7, is formed with several outer stepped portions. A first lower flange 96 serves as axial abutment for wheel 53 which freely rotates around bearing surface 97 of hub 95. Said bearing surface 97 is somewhat wider than the thickness of the bottom of wheel 53, thus wheel 53 being given a small amount of shake in axial direction between flange 96 and stabilizing plate 63 which is riveted at 98 to hub 95 on a portion 99 thereof. The width of portion 99 is equal to the thickness of stabilizing plate 63.

Surface 97 and portion 98 have together a width equal to the thickest outer felly portion of wheel 53. The diameter of portion 99 is smaller than that of surface 97 in order that wheel 53 may first be set in place and then plate 63 riveted to hub 95.

Wheel 52 is set in place after plate 63 has been riveted, and it rotates freely around a bearing surface 100 of hub 95, the diameter of said surface being still smaller than that of portion 99 and its width being somewhat larger than the thickness of the bottom of wheel 52. Due to the sizes of surface 100, Wheel 52 is also given a small amount of shake in axial direction between plates 63 and 62, the latter being riveted at 101 to hub 95, on a portion 102 thereof. The width of portion 102 corresponds to the thickness of plate 62. Surface 100 and portion 102 have together (like surface 97 and'portion v99), a width equal to the thickest outer fellyportion of wheel52. p

Hub 95 has still a center portion 103 extending somewhat beyond the upper fiange of portion 102, in order to prevent said flange from contacting either bridge 23 or pierced jewel 104 which is set in bridge 23 and in which pivot 92 is held in bearingv engagement. Y

' Although the lower bearing of axle 54 is constitute by a surface of collar 93, which has a diameter rather large, the friction between said collar and bearing jewel 94 does not disturb winding the watch too much, because axle 54 only rotates slowly. v

When axle 54 together with collar 93, hub member 95 and both wheels 52, 53, has once been set in place and bridge 23 screwed onto base-plate 22, said axle is prevented from dropping downwards in the position shown in Fig. 7 by wheel 53 which lies on part-circular ribs 30. Fig. 7 shows the relative positions of the elements carried by axle 54 when the latter is vertical with pinion 58 downwards. Wheel 52 lies on wheel 53 which is chamfered at 105 in order to reduce friction between both wheels. Plates 62 and 63 lie on the bottom of indentations 60 and 61 of wheels 52 and 53, respectively.

In this position of axle 54, wheels 52 and 53 are kept perpendicular to said axle by ribs 30 as well as by plates 62 and 63.

If the watch is then turned through an angle of 180 about a horizontal axis, axle 54 having a certain amount of shake in axial direction together with the elements carried by it, drops upwards in Fig. 7 until either center portion 103 of hub 95 contacts jewel 104, or wheel 52, which is also chamfered at 106, lies on bridge 23 by its felly portion, or both portion 103 and wheel 52 contact each the corresponding parts of bridge 23. In said reversed position wheels 52 and 53 are again held substantially perpendicular to axle 54 by plates 62 and 63 and bridge 23.

If the watch is in such a position that axle 54 is substantially horizontal, wheels 52 and 53 are still in contact with one another because of the sizes of the several portions of hub 95 and they still are held substantially perpendicular to axle 54 by stabilizing plates 62, 63 which almost always contact the bottoms of indentations 60 and 61, because of an oil film provided between the contacting surfaces of said plates and the bottoms of the corresponding wheels, said oil film ensuring adhesion between each of said plates and the corresponding wheel.

Even without such an oil film at all, the wheels may leave the stabilizing plates, but they are still held substantially perpendicular to axle 54 by ribs 30 and the lower surface of bridge 23.

This bridge could, of course, also be provided, at its lower surface, with a rib analogous to ribs 30, the distance of the lower surface of said bridge and base-plate 22 being increased accordingly.

It will be observed that there is no force in axial direction, which is applied to axle 54, but the weights of the parts connected to said axle.

The watch described is also provided with a manual winding mechanism comprising a winding stern (not shown) driving as usually a crown-wheel. The latter which is also not shown, meshes with ratchet 14.

When winding the watch manually, double-ratchet isthus driven clockwise in Fig. 1 and axle 54 counterclockwise, so that both wheels 52, 53 are unclutched and consequently at rest.

Various changes may be made in the configuration and arrangement of the parts hereabove described and shown in the drawings without departing from or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. A one-way drive comprising, in combination, support means; an axle supported for rotation about its axis by said support means; a wheel loosely mounted on said axle for free rotation with respect to said axle about the axis thereof, said wheel. being adapted to be rotated in opposite directions and being formed in one of its side faces with an annular recess having an-outer peripheral side surface located about and directed toward said axle; a stabilizing plate located next to said one side face of said Wheel and fixed to said axle, said plate maintaining said wheel normal to said axle and said plate being formed in its periphery with a part-circular notch; and wedge means located in said recess against said one side face of said wheel to be moved by frictional engagement with said wheel, having a partcircular portion located in and mating with said partcircular notch of said plate for guiding said wedge means for pivotal movement about the axis of said notch when said wheel moves said wedge means by frictional engagement therewith, and said wedge means having an outer peripheral portion located adjacent said peripheral side surface of said recess for wedging against said side surface only when said wheel turns in one direction of rotation for transmitting a drive from said wheel to said axle only when said wheel turns in said one direction.

2. A one-way drive comprising, in combination, support means; an axle supported for rotation about its axis by said support means; a wheel loosely mounted on said axle for free rotation with respect to said axle about the axis thereof, said wheel being adapted to be rotated in opposite directions and being formed in one of its side faces with a circular recess having an outer peripheral side surface located about and directed toward said axle, the portion of said wheel which directly surrounds said axle being too thin to maintain said wheel normal to said axle; a stabilizing plate located next to said one side face of said wheel in said recess thereof and fixed to said axle for rotation therewith and for maintaining said wheel normal to said axle, said plate having an outer periphery located inwardly of and spaced from said peripheral side surface of said recess to form a gap therewith and said plate being formed in said periphery thereof with a part-circular notch; and wedge means located in said recess in said gap between said plate and side peripheral surface of said recess against said one side face of said wheel to be moved by frictional engagement with said wheel, having a part-circular portion located in and mating with said part-circular notch of said plate for guiding said wedge means for pivotal movement about the axis of said notch when said wheel moves said wedge means by frictional engagement therewith, and said wedge means having an outer peripheral portion located adjacent said peripheral side surface of said recess for wedging against said side surface only when said wheel turns in one direction of rotation for transmitting a drive from said wheel to said axle only when said wheel turns in said one direction; and spring means cooperating with said wedge means for urging said outer peripheral portion thereof into wedging engagement with said side surface of said wheel.

3. A' one-way drive comprising, in combination, support means; an axle supported for rotation about its axis by said support means; a wheel loosely mounted on said axle for free rotation with respect to vsaid axle about the axis thereof, said wheel being adapted to be rotated in opposite directions and being formed in one of its side faces with a circular recess having an outer undercut peripheral side surface located about and directed toward said axle; a plate located next to said one side face of said wheel in said recess thereof and fixed to said axle for rotation therewith and for stabilizing said wheel, said plate having an outer periphery located inwardly of and spaced from saidperipheral side surface of said recess to form a gap therewith and said plate being formed in said periphery thereof with a part-circular notch; wedge means located in said recess in said sap between said plate and side peripheral surface of said recess against said one side face ofsaid wheel to be moved by frictional engagement with said wheel, "having a partcircular portion located in and 'mating with said partcircular notch of said plate for guiding said wedge means for pivotal movement about the axis ofsaid notch when said wheel moves said wedge means by frictional engagement therewith, and said wedge means having an outer peripheral portion located closely adjacent said undercut peripheral side surface of said recess for wedging against said side surface only when said wheel turns in one direction of rotation for transmitting a drive from said wheel to said axle only when said wheel turns in said one direction and to be prevented by said undercut side surface of said recess against movement out of said recess during wedging engagement with said wheel; and spring means cooperating with said wedge means for urging said outer peripheral portion thereof into wedging engagement with said side surface of said wheel.

4. A one-way drive comprising, in combination, support means; an axle supported for rotation about its axis by said support means; a wheel loosely mounted on said axle for free rotation with respect to said axle about the axis thereof, said wheel being adapted to be rotated in opposite directions and being formed in one of its side faces with a circular recess having an outer undercut peripheral side surface located about and directed toward said axle; a plate located next to said one side face of said wheel in said recess thereof and fixed to said axle for rotation therewith and for stabilizing said wheel, said plate having an outer periphery located inwardly of and spaced from said peripheral side surface of said recess to form a gap therewith and said plate being formed in said periphery thereof with a part-circular notch; wedge means located in said recess in said gap between said plate and side peripheral surface of said recess against said one side face of said wheel to be moved by frictional engagement with said wheel, having a partcircular portion located in and mating with said partcircular notch of said plate for guiding said wedge means for pivotal movement about the axis of said notch when said wheel moves said wedge means by frictional engagement therewith, and said wedge means having an outer peripheral beveled portion of the same inclination as said undercut peripheral side surface of said recess located closely adjacent the same for wedging against said side surface only when said wheel turns in one direction of rotation for transmitting a drive from said wheel to said axle only when said wheel turns in said one direction and to be prevented by said undercut side surface of said recess against movement out of said recess during wedging engagement with said wheel; and spring means cooperating with said wedge means for urging said outer peripheral portion thereof into wedging engagement with said side surface of said wheel.

5. A one-way drive comprising, in combination, support means; an axle supported for rotation about its axis by said support means; a wheel loosely mounted on said axle for free rotation with respect to said axle about the axis thereof, said wheel being adapted to be rotated in opposite directions and being formed in one of its side faces with a circular recess having an outer peripheral side surface located about and directed toward said axle; a stabilizing plate located next to said one side face of said wheel in said recess thereof and fixed to said axle for rotation therewith and for maintaining said wheel normal to said axle, said plate having an outer periphery located inwardly of and spaced from said peripheral side surface of said recess to form a gap therewith and said plate being formed in said periphery thereof with a part-circular notch; and wedge means located in said recess in said gap between said plate and side peripheral surface of said recess against said one side face of said wheel to be moved by frictional engagement with said wheel, having a part-circular portion located 10 in'and mating with said part-circular notch of said plate for guiding said wedge means for pivotal movement about the axis of said notch when said wheel moves said wedge means by frictional engagement therewith, and said wedge means having an outer peripheral portion located adjacent said peripheral side surface of said recess for wedging against said side surface only when said wheel turns in said one direction of rotation and at a point of said side surface producing a reaction between said wheel and wedge means located within the cone of friction of said wedge means and wheel at said point.

6. A one-way drive comprising, in combination, support means; an axle supported for rotation about its axis by said support means; a wheel loosely mounted on said axle for free rotation with respect to said axle about the axis thereof, said wheel being adapted to be rotated in opposite directions and being formed in one of its side faces with a circular recess having an outer peripheral side surface located about and directed toward said axle; a stabilizing plate located next to said one side face of said wheel in said recess thereof and fixed to said axle for rotation therewith and for maintaining said wheel normal to said axle, said plate having an outer periphery located inwardly of and spaced from said peripheral side surface of said recess to form a gap therewith and said plate being formed in said periphery thereof with a part-circular notch; and wedge means located in said recess in said gap between said plate and side peripheral surface of said recess against said one-side face of said wheel to be moved by frictional engagement with said wheel, having a part-circular portion located in and mating with said part-circular notch of said plate for guiding said wedge means for pivotal movement about the axis of said notch when said wheel moves said wedge means by frictional engagement therewith, and said wedge means having an outer peripheral portion located adjacent said peripheral side surface of said recess for wedging against said side surface only when said wheel turns in one direction of rotation for transmitting a drive from said wheel to said axle only when said wheel turns in said one direction, said wedge means having at one end an elongated projection terminating closely adjacent to the outer periphery of said plate.

7. A one-way drive comprising, in combination, support means; an axle supported for rotation about its axis by said support means; a wheel loosely mounted on said axle for free rotation with respect to said axle about the axis thereof, said wheel being adapted to be rotated in opposite directions and being formed in one of its side faces with a circular recess whose center is in said axis, said recess having an outer peripheral side surface located about and directed toward said axle; a substantially circular plate fixed to said axle for turning movement there- 'with, located in and being concentric with said recess,

having a diameter equal to substantially one-half the diameter of said recess, and being formed in its outer periphery with a semi-circular notch; a wedging member located in said recess between said plate and side surface of said recess, said wedging member having a part-circular portion located in said notch in pivotal engagement with said plate, having a front portion extending from one side of a straight line passing through said axle axis and the axis of said semi-circular notch, and having a tail portion extending from the opposite side of said line, and said wedge member having an outer periphery located closely adjacent said side surface of said recess and extending along an arc of a circle of substantially the same diameter as said recess and having its center located adjacent but spaced from said axle axis on the opposite side thereof from said wedge member, said arcuate periphery of said wedge member extending from a front terminal edge of said front portion along said wedge member and along said tail portion thereof, and said wedge member being in frictional engagement with said one side of said wheel to be turned about said notch axis only by said frictional engagement with said wheel, said front edge of said wedge member engaging said side surface of said recess when said wheel rotates in one direction at a point producing between said wheel and wedge member a reaction located within the cone of friction at said point, and said tail portion of said wedge member engaging said side surface of said recess-when said wheel turns in a direction opposite to said on'e direction at a second point located adjacent the extremity of said tail portion and producing a reaction located outside of the cone of friction at said second point; and spring means engaging said wedge member for urging said front edge thereof toward said side surface of said recess. 3

8. A one-way drive comprising, in combination, support means; an axle supported for rotation about its axis by said support means; a motion transmitting member loosely mounted on said axle for free rotation with respect to said axle about the axis thereof, said motion transmitting member being adapted to be driven in opposite directions about said axis; a stabilizing plate located next to a side face of said motion transmitting member and fixed to said axle for rotation therewith, said plate maintainingsaid motion transmitting member normal'to said axle; wedge means for transmitting a drive from said motion transmitting member to said axle only when said motion transmitting member turns in one direction about said axis, said wedge means pivotally engaging said plate and frictionally engaging said motion transmitting member to be moved by frictional engagement with said motion transmitting member into an operative position transmitting the drive to said axle from said motion transmitting member when the latter turns in said one direction; and spring means cooperating with said wedge means for urging the latter to said operative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent j UNITED STATES PATENTS Teal Dec. 25, 1894 1,235,633 Anderson et a1 Aug. 7, 1917 20 2,645,895 Dubois July 21, 1953 2,760,614 Marshall Aug. 28, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 19,339 Great Britain Oct. 11, 1894 

